Community News: 8/21/2024
Community –
Repentance gets a bad reputation these days. Perhaps you picture a wild-eyed preacher screaming out “repent” to passersby on a university campus or to an audience on TV. Honestly, I can’t think of a single positive association with the word in our culture. Because of this, some of us are uncomfortable with the word or even with the idea.
What comes to mind when you hear the word “repent”? Where does that image or association come from (e.g. culture, media, scripture, personal experience, past trauma)?
As followers of Jesus, we should recapture the true meaning and spiritual power of repentance. Jesus didn’t shy away from the word. It is tied up with the good news of God’s Kingdom: “After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news’” (Mark 1:14-15).
Repentance is the appropriate response when God’s Kingdom comes near. In the New Testament, “repentance is a change of heart that shows up in lifestyle or behavior change. Walking as a disciple of Jesus means constantly growing and changing inwardly as you take on more of the character of the Teacher. Change is not an option; it’s a vital part of the life of a follower of Jesus” (Mike Breen). This is why Martin Luther famously said, “the whole of the Christian life should be repentance.”
Repentance is all about breakthrough. Jesus says that in order to embrace the “good news” of the Kingdom, we must first repent. Repentance is the doorway through which we experience God’s Kingdom. It’s our response to God’s work that allows for spiritual breakthrough in our lives!
If we embrace a life of repentance, our lives are radically reoriented around the heart of God. This is not just for individuals though. Imagine if we lived this cycle of spiritual breakthrough (repent and believe) as a church.
In repentance, we are “abandoning ourselves to the forgiveness of God, walking in His grace and creating a safe place within our church community for others to do the same” (Breen).
Jonah struggled with the idea of repentance. He didn’t want to preach repentance in Ninevah – lest his enemies experience God’s mercy. And he’d rather be thrown off a boat and into an angry sea than embrace repentance in his own life. Let’s not share in Jonah’s hard heart. COMMUNITY, may we be a people who hear from God and do what He says. May our hearts remain always soft and teachable.
Teach us to repent, Lord.
Joyfully,
Brett
P.S. Don’t forget to join us this weekend where Dr. Bob will officially pass on the mantle of “Transitional Pastor” to me as we enter this next stage of the transition process. Let’s honor Dr. Bob for his sacrifice and service; Friday at 6:30pm or Sunday at 9:45am.
